Plans for the half-acre park, which is bounded by the Saratoga Historical Museum, the Book-Go-Round and the McWilliams House—possibly the oldest structure in Santa Clara County, according to the museum's curator, April Halberstadt—are still in the early stages, but involve adding landscape to the garden, installing more seating areas, building retaining walls, clearing all undergrowth and renovating buildings.

"The area is currently underutilized," said Norman Koepernik, commissioner of the preservation committee. "People can drive by it without even realizing it's there. The area can be used for a variety of community functions."

The garden can be a venue for many groups, such as local artists and food vendors. It is also a convenient place where the Book-Go-Round can hold special events. Interested community members at the July 7 heritage preservation commission meeting, which had an attendance of approximately 15 residents, suggested that the area would also be a good place to hold small picnics and weddings.

The McWilliams House also has the potential to serve the community in a number of ways. Plans for the now-vacant building include turning it into an extension of the museum or an exhibit where residents can display antique arts and crafts. Talk also included using the two front rooms of the building for an exhibit on life in the 1860s.

"It's important to understand the history of the community," said Jill Hunter, chairwoman of the planning commission. "I can envision children going to the museum and incorporating it in their classwork."

Hunter, owner of 400 antique dolls, said she would be interested in displaying her collection at the McWilliams House.

Before anything gets moved into the building, a number of things would have to be replaced and repaired, as shown in a report prepared by Koepernik, also a contractor. Exterior renovations include removing the rotting deck boards, replacing the front and back porch steps and repainting the walls. The interior work would involve adding new carpets, refinishing floors, rerouting electrical conduits and upgrading and relocating the hot water heater.

Koepernik suggested adding an arbor between the three buildings and a gate to create more privacy, removing all ivy, taking out the wooden benches and flaring the entrance at the Book-Go-Round building to make it more inviting.

"The purpose of all this is to get people to recognize what Saratoga has to offer," said Koepernik. "Our goal is to increase the flow of foot traffic and to make it so that people would feel comfortable walking in that area. Seeing activity would generate more activity."

Phylis Ballingall, the chairwoman of the heritage preservation commission, said she would like to see the project completed by July 4, 2004.

Discussion will continue at a joint meeting between the planning and heritage preservation commissions scheduled for Aug. 5. The issue will be brought to city council on Sept. 17.